The Sapling’s Star

The night is cold, it is bitter cold,

and the trees are moving, creaking,

screeching in the cold, dark, winter night,

as the stars begin their peeking.

They can see the patch where the maples grow,

nestled in for winter, napping,

and beneath the trunk of a mighty red,

they can see the smallest sapling.

They are shown a strength in its tiny limbs,

of a promise building, keeping,

of a hope to give unsparingly,

of love for the woodland sleeping.

And they wonder who is showing this,

in whose light a-basking, savoring?

High above the sapling is its Star,

shining brightly, ever favoring!

But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah,
though thou be little among the thousands of Judah,
yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me
that is to be ruler in Israel;
whose goings forth have been from of old,
from everlasting.
Micah 5:2

The Sapling’s Star

For God so loved the world,
that he gave his only begotten Son,
that whosoever believeth in him should not perish,
but have everlasting life.
John 3:16

Here’s news to smile about: the Designer of the Bethlehem Star loves us! God wonderfully shone a light on the giving of His most precious gift—His Son, Jesus Christ. From the beginning of time, this birth was carefully orchestrated. God knows us, even when we were knitted together, fearfully and wonderfully, in our mother’s womb.

For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother’s womb. I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvelous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.
Psalm 139:13-14

When there is a full moon, it can be mystical to walk through the woods at night. Moon shadows streak across a snow-covered woodland floor. A maple sapling in starlight stands beside the stoic trunk of its parent. In time, it will grow to the height and majesty it is destined.

God, through the prophet Micah 700 years before the birth of Christ, tells us that from the little tribe of Judah, in the town of Bethlehem, He would call to Himself a ruler from everlasting. Micah prophesied of a restored kingship in a kingdom that will last forever. He was talking about Jesus Christ. But, he never got to see the Messiah (on earth).

And thou, O tower of the flock, the strong hold of the daughter of Zion, unto thee shall it come, even the first dominion; the kingdom shall come to the daughter of Jerusalem.
Micah 4:8

And

So shall my word be
that goeth forth out of my mouth:
it shall not return unto me void,
but it shall accomplish that which I please,
and it shall prosper in the thing
whereto I sent it.
Isaiah 55:11

Do you recognize the sovereignty of the Designer who proclaimed the very first words, ‘Let there be Light’? Do you hear the authority of our Creator who created the stars and named them? Do you see the undisputed right of the presence who sent the one-of-a-kind Bethlehem Star? 

Who being the brightness of his glory

and the express image of his person,

and upholding all things by the word of his power,

when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down

on the right hand of the Majesty on high.

Hebrews 1: 3

And

For it pleased the Father that in him

should all fullness dwell.

Colossians 1:19

How fortunate we are to know the prophecies written in the Bible and see their fulfillment! And, like Micah, we wait for something too— for Christ’s second coming. Now, it’s our turn to wait! Those who wait on the Lord will renew their wings and see that restored kingship so richly talked about.

Prayer is a privilege letting us know God is working specifically in our life because of specific prayer. Bring what weighs heavy on your heart in the woods at night to the Everlasting Father in Jesus’ name and see what kind of light He sheds on it. Prayer is a great step of faith.

But the LORD said unto Samuel,
Look not on his countenance,
or on the height of his stature;
because I have refused him:
for the LORD seeth not as man seeth;
for man looketh on the outward appearance,
but the LORD looketh on the heart.”
1 Samuel 16:7

As we look to the Christmas season coming before us, remember the events of that special night beneath the Bethlehem Star. Jesus, God’s word made flesh and the mighty ruler who establishes a bright kingdom that will last forever for those who put their trust in Him accomplishes because:

Neither is there salvation in any other:
for there is none other name under heaven
given among men, whereby we must be saved.
Acts 4:12

And this man shall be the peace.
Micah 5:5

May starlight shine your way to peace.